Useless Worry

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life…Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?  …But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

Matthew 6:25, 27, 33 NIV

Jesus taught us about worry and fear.  He said plainly: Don’t worry, don’t be afraid.

Easier said than done, but to set it as a goal is worthwhile.  I sometimes confuse concern and love with worry.  If I love someone, I am concerned about their welfare but I needn’t be worried about them.  Because worrying about them does not in any way help them or me. If I am concerned, I should pray for them and see if there is any concrete thing that I can do to help them.  I don’t need to worry about them.  Not worrying is not a lack of care, it is simply an understanding that worrying accomplishes nothing other than wear me down.  Sometimes a friend will apologize for sharing some problem with me as they don’t want to burden me with worry.  I have arrived at the place where I can honestly say that I am not burdened by it.  I can assure them I will pray for them,  I can assure them that I am always happy to be a sounding board or a shoulder to cry on.  I can also assure them that God has their best interests in mind. To some people it might seem heartless that I am not worrying about them but worry is useless.